Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 147

Irene's pov

I never thought the day would turn out this way. One moment, I had Lisa under my thumb, fetching me drinks as she should, and the next, Calla had stormed into the scene like some righteous storm and dragged her away right in front of everyone. My throat burned with disbelief. I just stood there, rooted in place, my hand still stretched out as if the glass of juice would magically appear in it. My face must have been a picture—eyes wide, lips parted, skin prickling with heat. Calla, of all people, had dared to defy me in that tone, in that sharp cutting voice that reminded me too much of a slap across the cheek.

For a heartbeat, I was sure Enzo would appear and scold her. That’s how it should be, wasn’t it? The Alpha puts the maid in her place. But no one came. The only thing I was left with was the biting echo of her words in my ears.

“The same way she’s the Alpha Luna, Lisa is also our Alpha’s mate—respected and not disrespected. If you need a drink, you can call on any servant.”

Mate. That word had settled like a stone in my chest. My stomach twisted painfully. It was one thing to suspect, another to hear it so boldly, so shamelessly.

I was still lost in thought, still trying to gather the shattered pieces of my pride when I felt a shadow fall across me.

“You’re not looking too good,” a familiar voice teased lightly.

I turned to see Bryan standing there, one brow arched, a lazy grin on his lips. He looked too calm, too amused, as though my humiliation was just a scene in a play he had been watching for entertainment.

“Don’t,” I hissed, my voice sharp and raw.

His grin softened a little, and he lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. No jokes.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Are you ready to leave? The others are restless. They’re waiting for us.”

The thought of leaving this place brought a rush of relief. I couldn’t stay here a moment longer, not after what just happened. Not with Calla’s words still scraping at me like claws. I lifted my chin, tried to gather whatever dignity I had left, and nodded.

“Yes. I’m ready.”

Bryan’s gaze lingered on me, maybe searching my expression for cracks, but I turned away before he could pry further. My heels clicked softly against the polished floor as I moved. Each step felt heavier than the last, but I refused to let it show.

Before we left, I knew it was only proper—no, necessary—to at least greet Enzo. No matter what, I was still the Luna of my pack. Courtesy was everything in our world.

We found him in the hall, his presence unmistakable. He was speaking with one of his men, his tone low but commanding, his expression sharp and unreadable. Even standing still, Enzo carried that air of control that made everyone else in the room adjust their posture automatically.

I smoothed the front of my dress and approached with a polite smile. “Alpha Enzo,” I said softly.

His dark eyes shifted to me, and for a moment, I froze. There was a flicker in them, a coldness I wasn’t used to, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

“Safe travels, Irene,” he said simply, his voice deep and clipped.

Nothing more. No warmth, no acknowledgment of our packs’ alliance, no effort to soften the edges of his dismissal. Just those two words.

I forced my smile to remain, though my chest ached with humiliation. “Thank you,” I murmured, lowering my head in respect.

Then I turned, letting Bryan guide me out.

The moment I slid into the backseat of the car, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The air inside felt stifling, heavy with the weight of everything I couldn’t say aloud. The driver started the engine, and we rolled out of the estate gates, the towering structures shrinking in the distance.

For a long while, I stared out the window, watching the trees blur past. My mind wasn’t on the scenery, though. It was stuck on Lisa. On Calla. On the word mate.

I pressed my nails into my palm, the sting grounding me.

Bryan broke the silence. “So… are you going to tell me why you look like you’ve just been slapped across the face? Or should I guess?”

I shot him a glare. “Don’t mock me.”

“I’m not,” he replied smoothly, turning slightly in his seat so he could face me better. “I’m genuinely curious. You’re quiet—too quiet. And you only get that way when something’s really gnawing at you.”

I hesitated, biting down on the inside of my cheek. Finally, I let the words slip out. “Lisa is Enzo’s mate.”

Bryan didn’t even flinch. He only let out a small chuckle, shaking his head like he’d known all along.

“Obvious, wasn’t it?” he said.

My lips parted in disbelief. “Obvious?”

“Of course,” Bryan continued. “The way he’s cautious around her. The way he doesn’t let anyone push her too far. Haven’t you noticed? Every time her name is mentioned, he pays attention. Every time she’s near, he changes. You didn’t see it because you didn’t want to.”

His words sliced deeper than he probably intended. I shifted in my seat, looking away from him and back out the window.

“You think you’re so smart,” I muttered.

He smirked. “No. Just observant.”

The car fell into silence again, though my mind wasn’t quiet. It was loud, too loud. Every moment I had seen Enzo near Lisa replayed in my head like a cruel joke. The little glances, the subtle protectiveness, the restraint in his tone. How had I missed it? How had I been so blind?

By the time we pulled up to our pack’s grounds, I was exhausted—not from the trip, but from the weight of my own thoughts. The familiar scent of home should have brought me comfort, but it didn’t. Not today.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, my assistant hurried toward me, her notepad in hand, her expression tight with urgency.

“Luna,” she said, lowering her head quickly in respect. “The other Lunas are waiting for you in the conference hall. It’s time for the weekly meeting, and they’re asking for your report.”

I blinked at her, my mind still stuck in the car, still stuck with Enzo and Lisa. But the reality of my duty snapped me back. I straightened my shoulders, smoothed my dress, and forced the mask of composure back onto my face.

“Very well,” I said coolly. “Tell them I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, Luna.” She bowed again and scurried off.

I lingered for a moment, drawing in a steadying breath. No matter what had just happened, no matter what I had just learned, I couldn’t falter here. Not in front of them. I was Irene, Luna of this pack, and I had a role to play.

And so, I lifted my chin and walked toward the hall, my heart still heavy, my thoughts still restless, but my stride as firm as ever.